June 20-26, 2002

Amelia Boynton Robinson "won over hearts and minds" during her recent trip to Iran. One might wonder what a historic leader of the American civil rights movement, might have in common with leading political circles in the Islamic Republic of Iran. With the June 20-26, 2002 visit to Iran by civil rights heroine and Schiller Institute leader Amelia Boynton Robinson, it became clear that they share a great deal. Mrs. Robinson, who was invited by IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), showed, in her numerous television and press interviews, that the power against which African-Americans and others were fighting, was the same that is threatening the world today with wars and destruction. Many Iranian interviewers, as well as political figures she met, stressed their view that the racist policies perpetrated against African-Americans prior to 1965, are being repeated today, against the new enemy image, Islam. In this, Iran is being targetted specifically, as a member of the "axis of evil."

Mrs. Robinson was interviewed by Iranian TV, on arrival in the early hours of June 21, and in the following days, again five times, on different programs, all on IRIB national television, and once on IRIB radio, from Isfahan. She delivered a press conference June 25, to members of the Association of Islamic Editors, with 20 persons attending. She also granted interviews to Farsi dailies, like Jamei Jami, and others.

Muriel Mirak-Weissbach, member of the EIR editorial board, accompanied Mrs. Robinson, and took part in the interviews. As both emphasized, the work of the civil rights movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, was picked up, revived and carried forward by Lyndon LaRouche, whose program represents the same ideals but is applied to a global perspective.

In all the interviews, Iranians wanted to know about the current status of civil and human rights in America: from the treatment of African-Americans and other minorities, to the treatment of Muslims suspected of terrorism. There was great interest in learning about the dangers of a police-state apparatus being set up in the United States. The question asked by press people, was, "How can the U.S. claim to preach human rights to other nations, when it is violating them at home?"

Also, "Why did it take so long, after the end of the Civil War in 1865, for African Americans to gain their full civil rights?" And, "To what extent are the principles of the U.S. Constitution actually respected in practice today?"

One obvious area of concern touched on in the interviews, was the brutal treatment of Palestinians by Israel, with the full endorsement of the U.S. government. One question posed was: How can the U.S. claim to be fighting terrorism, when it is backing the state terrorism of Israel?

Mrs. Robinson was received by the Vice President in Communications and International Affairs of IRIB, Mr. Mohammad Honardoost, by Dr. Hossein M.M. Sadeghi, Dean of the Faculty of Judicial Sciences and Administrative Services, by Mrs. Soujaraee, Vice President of Iran for Women's Affairs, and by two women members of Parliament, Mrs. Rezazadeh and Mrs. Mosavari Manesh.

All those who met Mrs. Robinson were deeply moved by the story of her struggle for civil rights in America, and her continuing efforts, in the Schiller Institute, to fight for justice throughout the world. Mrs. Robinson emphasized the power of love, in overcoming the hate of the racists, whom she characterized as "sick people." She explained the crisis in the U.S. today, is a result of the fact that America has strayed away from God, and from the Constitution. She praised the morality of Iran's women, as expressed in their Islamic dress code. In face of attacks and threats from the Anglo-American oligarchy, she said, Iran should remain steadfast, and never relinquish its independence, its sovereignty, and especially its culture.

Thank you for supporting the Schiller Institute. Your membership and contributions enable us to publish FIDELIO Magazine, and to sponsor concerts, conferences, and other activities which represent critical interventions into the policy making and cultural life of the nation and the world.